Contest (skill contest)

A promotion where winners are judged on skill against published criteria rather than selected at random.

In a genuine skill contest, chance is removed from the selection, which is why some jurisdictions permit an entry fee where they would not permit one in a random draw. The strength of that position depends entirely on the judging being real.

  • Criteria published before entries open, with weightings where they exist.
  • Judges who are identifiable, at least by role, applying the criteria consistently.
  • A stated tie-break that is itself judged — not a coin flip or a random pick.
  • A record of how each entry was scored, in case the outcome is challenged.

Calling a random draw a contest does not convert it into one, and charging for that draw is where the real exposure begins.

Guides that use this term